Spring compressor

ABSTRACT

A spring compressor is disclosed herein for axially compressing a coil spring such as the coil spring in the wheel suspension mechanism of a road vehicle. The spring compressor includes two pairs of jaws, each pair of jaws being laterally adjustable and pivoted at one end to a pivot element, and adapted at the other end thereof to engage opposite sides of a coil spring at an axially spaced distance, determined by the distance between the pairs of jaws. An actuating mechanism is provided between the pairs of jaws to actuate the jaws toward each other.

52 us. Cl. 254/103 51 Int. Cl. B231 19/04 [58] Field of Search 29/215-218, 29/225, 227; 254/105 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,633 1/1913 Price 29/218 1,400,463 12/1921 Sandefur.... 29/218 1,614,301 1/1927 Hobbs 29/218 2,316,646 4/1943 Berkman 29/217 Unite States tent 1 1 1 12,22

' Castoe Oct. 14, 1975 SPRING COMPRESSOR Primary Examiner-Othe1l M. Simpson hn H. C t S 1 d, C l f. [75] Inventor J0 as m un an a l Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Roy E. Petherbridge; [73] Assignee: .Applied Power, Inc1, l\ 1ilwaukee, R b r L, Lindgren; Edward D, Gilhooly Wis. I

22 Filed: Aug. 8, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A spring compressor is disclosed herein for axially compressing a coil spring such as the coil spring in the wheel suspension mechanism of a road vehicle. The spring compressor includes two pairs of jaws, each pair of jaws being laterally adjustable and pivoted at one end to a pivot element, and adapted at the other end thereof to engage opposite sides of a coil spring at an axially spaced distance, determined by the distance between the pairs of jaws. An actuating mechanism is provided between the pairs of jaws to actuate the jaws toward each other.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 00L 14, 1975 Sheet 1 Of2 3,912,22

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,912,224

SPRING COMPRESSOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring for removal or other manipulation of the spring wherein it is required that the spring be compressed for such removal or manipulation.

Present forms of spring compressors utilize elaborate and clumsy mechanisms and are very difficult to apply and utilize. Also, these forms of spring compressors do not readily faciliate compression of the coil spring so that it can be removed directly from the spring assembly. In addition, known types of spring compressors usually require that the motor or other motivating force thereof be situated over the end of the spring to be compressed or otherwise similarly on the axis of the spring so that the force thereof can be applied to the spring for compression thereof when the spring is assembled in the spring assembly. Known types of spring compressors, which do not require the motivator thereof to be positioned on the axis of the coil spring, usually require elaborate and cumbersome supplemental contrivances wherein the spring may be placed, compressed by, or thereafter retained in compression by, for separate installation in a compressed fashion.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a coil spring compressor which is not unduly complicated, and which is efficient and easily utilized. In particular, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a coil spring compressor which can be applied to a spring while mounted or otherwise assembled in its spring utilization assembly and, which can be mounted on that type of spring in that type of position from one side of the spring, with a motivating force for the compression being laterally displaced from the axis of the spring to be compressed whereby the spring compressor of this invention can be applied directly to a spring while it is in its spring assembly, and a spring can be compressed without interfering with the end mountings of the spring In the spring assembly by virtue of the laterally spaced motivating force therefor. Also, it is an object of this invention to provide a coil spring compressor to be readily and easily applied directly to a spring and facilitate compression and removal of the spring from its spring assembly by virtue of the spring compressor of this invention alone, without requiring supplemental spring retainer or similar apparatus to hold the spring in compression, to allow the spring to be removed from the spring assembly by the spring compressor of this invention.

Other advantages and novel aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an assembly view ofa spring assembly in an automobile showing the first embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention applied to the coil spring of the spring assembly while the spring is mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the structural interrelationship of the two pairs ofjaws of the spring compressor of this invention with both pairs ofjaws applied to the coil spring to be compressed;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2-showing the mechanical linkage of the two jaws and the spring motivation means therefor, of the first embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a general elevation view of the second embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention showing the compressor attached to the coil spring, to be compressed, in a manner like that shown with respect to embodiment I in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing the application of a hydraulic motivator for the linkages of the second embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention.

The first embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention is generally designated by the numeral (FIGS. 1-3) and includes, generally, a pivot element 11, a first pair of jaws 12, a second pair of jaws 13, spring coil engaging means 14, and forced exerting motor means 15.

Pivot element 11 is illustrated as a U-shaped channel member having apertures 21 and 22 through sides 23 and 24 thereof for receiving pivot pins 25 and 26 therethrough. First pair ofjaws 12 includes jaws 30 and 31 pivotally mounted on the upper pin 26 of pivot element 11 with the pin 26 inserted through apertures in jaws 30 and 31. Jaws 30 and 31 are provided with respective spring coil engaging hook means 14 comprising hooks 32 and 33 pivotally mounted to the end of the respective jaws by pins 34 inserted through jaws 30 and 31. Similarly, second pair of jaws 13 includes jaws and 41 pivotally mounted on the lower pin 25 of pivot element 11 with pin 25 inserted through apertures in jaws 40 and 41. Jaws 40 and 41 are provided with a spring coil engaging hook means 14 comprising hooks 42 and 43 pivotally mounted to the end of the respective jaws 40 and 41 by pins 44 inserted through jaws 40 and 41.

It should be noted that each jaw 30 and 31 or 40 and 41 of each pair of jaws 12 and 13 is loosely pivotally mounted on the respective pivot pin 26 or 25 whereby jaws l2 and 13 are free to move axially on respective pivot pins 26 and 25 and to be radially pivotable on the same pin 26 or 25 to adapt to variations in spring coils from one side to the other of the spring 50 to be compressed whereby the spring coil engaging hook means 13 and 14 may be appropriately engaged into the coils 50 of spring 51 to be compressed (FIG. 2).

First and second pairs of jaws l2 and 13 are interconnected by force exerting means 15 which includes a shaft 55 slidably mounted in apertures 56 in opposite positions in each jaw 30 and 31 of first pair of jaws 12. Shaft 55 is provided with end pins 57 to prevent jaws 30 and 31 from being removed from shaft 55 and an enlarged diameter central portion 58 is provided to axially retain a coil spring 59 and 60 between each oppo-- site jaw 30 and 31 of first pair of jaws 12 and the increased diameter shaft portion 58. Each jaw 30 and 31 of first pair ofjaws 12 will be normally urged outwardly and away from enlarged shaft portion 58 (FIG. 2) to allow lateral spacing adjustment between jaws 30 and 31 of first pair ofjaws 12 to accommodate the various sized springs 51 to be engaged by coil engaging means 14 thereof.

Force exerting means 15 also includes a shaft slidably mounted in apertures 66 in opposite positions in each jaw 40 and 41 of second pair of jaws 13. Shaft 65 is provided with end pins 67 to prevent jaws 40 and 41 from being removed from shaft 65 and an enlarged diameter central portion 68 is provided to axially retain a coil spring 69 and 70 between each opposite jaw 40 and 41 of second pair ofjaws 13 and the increased diameter shaft portion 68 (FIG. 2) to allow lateral spacing adjustment between jaws 40 and 41 of second pair ofjaws 13 to accommodate the various sized springs 51 to be engaged by coil engaging means 13 thereof.

Shaft 55 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of first pair of jaws 12 is provided with an unthreaded aperture 71, and shaft 65 of second pair of jaws 13 is provided with a threaded aperture 71a. A headed screw 72 is inserted through a thrust bearing 73 seated on a flat surface 74 formed in increased diameter portion 58, of shaft 55, through unthreaded aperture 71 in shaft 55 and threadably secured in threaded aperture 71a in shaft 65. When screw 72 is tightened into aperture 71a in shaft 65, first pair ofjaws 12 will be drawn towards second pair ofjaws 13 with the force that can be exerted by the tightening of screw 72 into shaft 65.

In operation, the first embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention is applied to coil spring 51, to be compressed, by first laterally adjusting jaws 12 axially toward each other on shaft 55 against springs 59 and 60 and urge hooks 32 and 33 of coil engaging means 14 thereof into contact with opposite coils 50 of spring 51. Continued urging of coil engaging members 14 downwardly against coils 50 will retain coil engaging members 14 in engagement with coils 50. Similarly, jaws 13 are laterally adjusted toward each other against the compression of springs 69 and 70 and axially on shaft 65 whereby hooks 42 and 43 of coil engaging means 14 are axially aligned with coils 50 of coil spring 51. Screw 72 may be rotated to axially adjust the spacing between jaws 12 and 13 to allow jaws 14 to enter between coils 50.

Thereafter, by tightening screw 72, coil engaging means 14 of first pair of jaws 12 will be urged toward coil engaging means 14 of second pair of jaws 13 and into engagement with opposite coils 50 of coil spring 51 (FIG. 2), thus causing spring compressor 10 to grip spring 51 at axially spaced apart coils 50 thereof for compression of spring 51 between these spaced coils thereof.

A continued tightening of screw 72 by a wrench or other means will urge first pair of jaws l2 and second pair of jaws 13 toward each other about said element 11 whereby when said spring coil engaging means 14 are in engagement with coils 50 of the spring 51 as set forth above, the portion of the spring 51 between the engaging means 14 of the first and second pair of jaws 12 and 13 will be compressed to the extent desired by continuing to tighten screw 72.

Upon sufficiently desired contraction of spring 51, the coil spring 51 will be compressed, as well as retained and otherwise held by first and second jaws l2 and 13 whereby coil spring 51 in its compressed condition can then be removed from its position in the spring assemblage (FIG. 1).

It should be noted that the first embodiment 10 of the spring compressor of this invention is readily adjustable by screw 72 whereby jaws 12 and 13 may grip coil springs of various lengths or to grip coil springs along varied links thereof. Also, inasmuch as the jaws of each pair of jaws are loosely pivotally mounted on pins 25 and 26 and on shafts 55 and 65, each jaw of the pairs ofjaws 12 and 13 is independently adjustable along the axis of spring 51, whereby spring coil engaging hooks 32, 33, 42 and 43 are adapted to grip opposite portions of coils of the spring 51 on an independent basis, to accommodate different axial positions of the portions of the coils 50 without requiring that the spring portions gripped be located on exact opposite sides of the spring to be compressed. Lateral misalignment is thereby possible and the compression force will still be provided by the force exerting yoke structure of the shaft 55 and interconnecting jaws of each pair of jaws, and the screw drive therebetween. Further, it should be noted that the jaws of each pair of jaws 12 and 13 are laterally adjustable with respect to spring 51 by merely urging jaws 30, 31, 40 and 41 against the bias compression of springs 59, 60, 69 and 70 on respective jaw shafts 55 and 65 to accommodate the diameter of the coil spring 51 (FIG. 2).

Still further, it should be noted that the first embodiment 10 of the spring compressor of this invention may be applied to a spring 51 to be compressed while the spring is in the spring assemblage, and the compression of the spring is performed by this invention without requiring the ends of the spring to be accessible for compression or without requiring that the spring 51 otherwise be removed from the spring assemblage.

The second embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention is generally illustrated by the numeral (FIGS. 4 and 5), and includes all of the structures of the first embodiment of the spring compressor of this invention with the exception of screw 72. In place of spring 72, a pneumatic or hydraulic fluid motivator81 is provided. Fluid motivator 81 comprises a fluid cylinder 82 connected to a fluid actuator 83. A hydraulic or pneumatic piston (not shown) is provided with an extending actuator shaft 84 and the piston is moved downwardly into the cylinder 82 when actuated by the fluid actuator 83 to draw shaft 84 toward cylinder 82. Cylinder 82 is provided with a thrust bearing 85 adapted to engage flat surface 86 of the enlarged portion 68 of shaft 65 (FIGS. 2 and 5). Cylinder actuating shaft 84 extends through aperture 71a in shaft 65 and through aperture 71 in shaft 55 and through a bearing plate 87. A nut 88 is threadably secured to a threaded end 89 of fluid shaft actuator 84 whereby jaws 12 and 13 are retained between bearing washer 87 and thrust bearing 85 of fluid cylinder 82.

In operation, the second embodiment 80 of the spring compressor of this invention is operated in the same manner and for the same results as is the first embodiment 10 of the spring compressor of this invention with the exceptions that the motivating forces are provided by the fluid system. When actuator 83 actuates hydraulic a pneumatic cylinder 82, piston thereof draws the actuating shaft 84 downwardly into fluid cylinder 82 and thereby drawing first pair of jaws 12 toward second pair ofjaws 13 to bring about the compression of the coil spring 51 as set forth above with respect to the first embodiment of this invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring comprising:

a pivot element;

a first pair ofjaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring;

a second pair ofjaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring;

said jaws of each pair of said jaws being axially spaced apart in the direction of the axis of said pivot thereof'and being independently pivotally mounted to said pivot element;

spring coil engaging means on each of said jaws respectively adapted to engage opposite side portions of coils of the spring in a direction axial to the spring;

force exerting means interconnecting said first and said second pairs of jaws and adapted to urge said first pair of jaws and said second pair of jaws towards each other about said pivot element so that when said spring coil engaging means are in engagement with coils of the spring the portion of the spring between said engaging means of said respective pairs of jaws will be compressed; and

said force exerting means comprising a first yoke pivotally interconnecting said jaws of said first pair of jaws, a second yoke pivotally interconnecting said jaws of said second pair of jaws, and a drive mechanism interconnecting said yokes for urging said jaws together, whereby said jaws will independently engage coils of the spring through said respective coil engaging means thereof to independently accomodate variances in the configuration of the spring as said pairs of jaws are drawn together to compress the spring.

2. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws of said first pair of jaws are adapted to slidably receive said yoke therein and between said jaws, said jaws of said second pair ofjaws are adapted to slidably receive said yoke therein and between said jaws, and bias means is provided between said jaws and the respective yokes thereof for normally urging said jaws of each pair of jaws apart on said yoke, whereby said jaws may be selectively urged against said bias adjustment of the distance therebetween to allow said spring engaging means thereof to be adjusted to accommodate various diameters of springs.

3. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot element comprises a U-shaped channel frame with a first pivot pin extending between the sides of said channel adapted to support said first jaws radially pivotable and axially movable thereon between said channel sides, a second pivot pin extending between the sides of said channel adapted to support said second jaws radially pivotal and axially movable thereon between said channel sides, whereby said jaws are independently pivotable and axially adjustably positionable on said pivot element.

4. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 3 wherein bias means is provided between said jaws of said pairs of jaws for normally urging said jaws of each pair of jaws axially apart on said respective pins and against said channel sides, whereby said jaws may be urged inwardly from said sides to adjustably position the axial pivotal position of said jaws on said pivot element.

5. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism comprises an apertured portion in said first yoke, a screw rotatably inserted in said yoke aperture in said first yoke with the head of said screw engageable with said first yoke, a threaded aperture portion in said second yoke, said screw being threadably mounted in said thread portion of said second yoke, whereby when said screw is tightened said first yoke and first jaws will be urged toward said second yoke and said second jaws to provide said force exertion for spring compression.

6. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism comprises apertured portions in said first and second yokes, a shaft slidably inserted through both said yoke apertures, said shaft being adapted beyond first yoke to engage said first yoke and urge said first yoke toward said second yoke when said shaft is moved toward said first yoke, means for limiting movement of said second yoke away from said first yoke, and means for urging said shaft in said aperture in said second yoke for drawing said first yoke toward said second yoke, whereby said first yoke can be urged toward said second yoke for said compression action.

7. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring comprising:

a pivot element;

a first pair of jaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring;

a second pair of jaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring;

spring coil engaging means on each of said jaws respectively adapted to engage opposite side portions of coils of the spring in a direction axial to the spring;

said spring coil engaging means comprising hooks pivotally attached to said first and said second pairs of jaws, said hooks having an open side to engage the coils of the spring; and

force exerting means interconnecting said first and said second pairs of jaws and adapted to urge said first pair of jaws and said second pair of jaws toward each other about said pivot element whereby when said spring coil engaging means are in engagement with coils of the spring, the portion of the spring between said engaging means of said respective pairs of jaws will be compressed. 

1. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring comprising: a pivot element; a first pair of jaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring; a second pair of jaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring; said jaws of each pair of said jaws being axially spaced apart in the direction of the axis of said pivot thereof and being independently pivotally mounted to said pivot element; spring coil engaging means on each of said jaws respectively adapted to engage opposite side portions of coils of the spring in a direction axial to the spring; force exerting means interconnecting said first and said second pairs of jaws and adapted to urge said first pair of jaws and said second pair of jaws towards each other about said pivot element so that when said spring coil engaging means are in engagement with coils of the spring the portion of the spring between said engaging means of said respective pairs of jaws will be compressed; and said force exerting means comprising a first yoke pivotally interconnecting said jaws of said first pair of jaws, a second yoke pivotally interconnecting said jaws of said second pair of jaws, and a drive mechanism interconnecting said yokes for urging said jaws together, whereby said jaws will independently engage coils of the spring through said respective coil engaging means thereof to independently accomodate variances in the configuration of the spring as said pairs of jaws are drawn together to compress the spring.
 2. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws of said first pair of jaws are adapted to slidably receive said yoke therein and between said jaws, said jaws of said second pair of jaws are adapted to slidably receive said yoke therein and between said jaws, and bias means is provided between said jaws and the respective yokes thereof for normally urging said jaws of each pair of jaws apart on said yoke, whereby said jaws may be selectively urged against said bias adjustment of the distance therebetween to allow said spring engaging means thereof to be adjusted to accommodate various diameters of springs.
 3. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot element comprises a U-shaped channel frame with a first pivot pin extending between the sides of said channel adapted to support said first jaws radially pivotable and axially movable thereon between said channel sides, a second pivot pin extending between the sides of said channel adapted to support said second jaws radially pivotal and axially movable thereon between said channel sides, whereby said jaws are independently pivotable and axially adjustably positionable on said pivot element.
 4. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 3 wherein bias means is provided between said jaws of said pairs of jaws for normally urging said jaws of each pair of jaws axially apart on said respective pins and against said channel sides, whereby said jaws may be urged inwardly from said sides to adjustably position the axial pivotal position of said jaws on said pivot element.
 5. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism comprises an apertured portion in said first yoke, a screw rotatably inserted in said yoke aperture in said first yoke with the head of said screw engageable with said first yoke, a threaded aperture portion in said second yoke, said screw being threadably mounted in said thread portion of said second yoke, whereby when said screw is tightened said first yoke and first jaws will be urged toward said second yoke and said second jaws to provide said force exertion for spring compression.
 6. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism comprises apertured portions in said first and second yokes, a shaft slidably inserted through both said yoke apertures, said shaft being adapted beyond first yoke to engage said first yoke and urge said first yoke toward said second yoke when said shaft is moved toward said first yoke, means for limiting movement of said second yoke away from said first yoke, and means for urging said shaft in said aperture in said second yoke for drawing said first yoke toward said second yoke, whereby said first yoke can be urged toward said second yoke for said compression action.
 7. A spring compressor for axially compressing a coil spring comprising: a pivot element; a first pair of jaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring; a second pair of jaws pivotally mounted to said pivot element and adapted to radially span the coils of the spring; spring coil engaging means on each of said jaws respectively adapted to engage opposite side portions of coils of the spring in a direction axial to the spring; said spring coil engaging means comprising hooks pivotally attached to said first and said second pairs of jaws, said hooks having an open side to engage the coils of the spring; and force exerting means interconnecting said first and said second pairs of jaws and adapted to urge said first pair of jaws and said second pair of jaws Toward each other about said pivot element whereby when said spring coil engaging means are in engagement with coils of the spring, the portion of the spring between said engaging means of said respective pairs of jaws will be compressed. 